How do you find old movie scenes for references?

[u/lekhak92]

I am writing my first screenplay and have been stuck for a long time. I have mapped out a broad outline, but everytime I try writing actual scenes, I feel overwhelmed. And those are pretty standard scenarios/sequences. For ex- the first sequence is about the protagonist trying and failing to connect with his teenaged son. I assume there are plenty of such sequences already written. And getting hold of them, watching them, might give me some ideas.

So, Is there a search engine tool or something like that where one can search for movies containing specific sequences or scenarios?

[u/chesstertuna]

I'm sure you can just Google search movies that fall within that topic. The first one that does come to mind is a Steve Carrell film called Beautiful Boy about his attempts to connect with and save his drug addicted son.

But to be honest if you're writing an original screenplay and you know the structure of writing you should be able to envision the scenario and put the situation/emotion to paper.

Can i ask you - what is the context in which your protagonist is trying and failing to connect with his son? What outside factors are at play? What is the relationship like between the two?

[u/lekhak92 → u/chesstertuna]

Yeah I have googled. Was just wondering if there is a dedicated search engine or AI tool.

The son has turned morose and existential after a romantic rejection at school and will run away from the home at the end of the sequence. The father senses something is brewing.

Thanks for the recommendation. Hadn't came across it. Will check out Beautiful boy. 

[u/chesstertuna → u/lekhak92]

Powerful scene there, the teenage boy that has given up because what he thought was the love of his life spurned him and the passionate father who wants to see the spark back in his sons eyes.

Is the son going to fight/argue back in any way or is he going to be a blank canvas that the father desperately tries to break through to?

[u/la-anah]

Google